Carlo Ancelotti will be putting his faith in youth over the coming games, as he prepares for life without a number of his experienced regulars.

Already missing are Michael Essien and Nicolas Anelka, both ruled out for the matches against Birmingham and Fulham, while Deco is the latest to join the list of casualties.

That means Daniel Sturridge will be given a first Chelsea Premier League start alongside Didier Drogba, who could be playing his final game before departing for Angola and the African Cup of Nations.

'Anelka is a small muscle problem but he is not ready to play these games, against Fulham also. If Didier Drogba is not here we can put other players in, Sturridge has a good opportunity to show his quality,' Ancelotti explained. 'He played against West Ham very well in the second half and against Birmingham can play from the beginning.

'We have some problems because we have to play without Anelka, Essien and Deco in these games but we have a possibility if we do 100 per cent, to win.

'It's very important. We are in a very good position, we are four points top, it's not our best moment because we didn't play well the last games but for this we have to stay concentrated and focused to try to win.

'We play against very strong teams, Birmingham arrived from five consecutive victories and one draw. They are difficult to play, they are very strong and work hard for 90 minutes with a lot of pressure. It is a difficult game for us.'

The manager also ruled out January transfer activity, insisting he can really on the talent he already has.

'I have a lot of confidence in my strikers, not only Drogba, not only Kalou, not only Anelka, also Sturridge and Borini. Against Fulham maybe we have only Sturridge and Borini, but in January we have Anelka.

'I didn't ask for new players to my club, we have a good solution internally. We don't need new players in this moment.'

That also means that Franco Di Santo and Michael Mancienne will not be recalled from their loans at Blackburn and Wolves respectively.

With six points to play for, it could be a fantastic Christmas for Chelsea. Ancelotti has warm wishes for everyone.

'I want to wish Merry Christmas to all the people, not only Chelsea fans,' he said. 'Christmas is very important for everyone and I wish all the best for all the people, the fans of every team, and I hope next year will be the same.

'I was surprised in this six months, I think that in England there is a very good future of sport. Every game there is a fantastic atmosphere and I hope in the future it will be the same.'